By Lori BODNAR      

Cub Scout Pack 360 held a bridging ceremony at Mountain Avenue Elementary School on Friday, March 25. The ceremony was historic in that it included two girls who completed the entire Cub Scout Pack 360 program. Starting in early 2018, girls have been allowed in Cub Scouts and Cub Scout Pack 360 was the first pack that welcomed girls into its Scouting pack. “Bridging” is the ceremony that transitions a Scout from one level to the next.

“I have been a pack leader for a year,” said Cub Scout Pack 360 Cubmaster Brock Worthen. “There was a need for leadership and I love leading people so I became a pack leader. I think Scouting is about being able to impact young boys and girls and teach them life skills and create memories. The Cub Scout bridging ceremony is an opportunity where we can see and celebrate the development from Cub Scouts to Scouts.”

Cub Scout Pack 360 is chartered by Verdugo Hills Council and features 75 individuals in eight different dens. The three troops the Cub Scouts bridged to were Troops 118, 509 and 319. Troops 118 and 319 are part of the Verdugo Council while Troop 509 is part of the Greater Los Angeles Council.

The different ranks of Cub Scouts are Lion (kindergarten), Tiger (first grade), Wolf (second grade), Bear (third grade), and Webelo (fourth and fifth grade). The Lion Cubs program was available in fall 2018.

Verdugo Hills Council District Director Amy Taylor has been with the Council, which oversees 1,500 Scouts, for 16 years.

“Scouting is about an equal opportunity for everyone to find what they like, such as service, camping and hiking,” said Taylor. “Scouting is about enjoyment and excitement. It’s all about the discoveries. My son was an Eagle Scout and earned his Eagle Award in 2016.”        

The path has been equally awarding for leaders of the packs.

Natalie Ouwersloot with Den 9 has been a den leader for six years. There are nine people in Den 9.

“I had a little Scout who wanted to be a Scout and there was no Lion leader at the time, so I became a den leader. I love all the adventures that we do. The Scouts have to meet these requirements but they get to go and see things and do things they may not experience otherwise. The Cub Scouts in Den 9 are such wonderful boys. I am so proud of them. I think they are going to have a great time in their new troops.”

Fifth grader Brooke Gordon was in Cub Scout Pack 360, Den 8 since the first grade and is now a Scout BSA in Troop 509.

“My dad is an Eagle Scout and, since girls were allowed, he signed me up instantly, and I don’t regret that at all,” said Brooke. “In Cub Scouts [I can] earn the Arrow of Light, we did a park cleanup and cooking. It was really fun. I am excited to learn new things in the Scouts BSA.”

Fifth grader Ciara Sullivan also completed the Cub Scout program. She has been in Cub Scouts since she was in the first grade. Ciara is now a Scout in Troop 118.

“My dad was an Eagle Scout and my brother was in Scouts BSA,” Ciara said. “As soon as girls were allowed, I joined. We made a plaque to showcase all of the things we have done in Cub Scouts and it was fun. My favorite experience in Cub Scouts is when we went camping together and shot bow and arrows. I am excited about learning more and being with others in Scouts BSA. I will try my best to be an Eagle Scout.”

Henri DeFay is a fifth grader who bridged from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. Henri was in Den 8 as a Cub Scout and is now in Troop 118 as a Scout BSA.

He said, “My dad told me that my brother was in Scouts so I wanted to join as well. Some of the patches I earned were the outdoor patch and interpreter patch. My favorite experiences in Cub Scouts included Camp Cherry Valley, learning how to whittle with a pocketknife, and camping. I also enjoyed going to Catalina. I am really excited for more camping trips and merit badges such as camping and making a board game in Scouts BSA.”